Atomic and Nuclear Physics Rapid Review for AP Physics B

For a more thorough review, refer to these concepts:

• Atomic and Nuclear Physics for AP Physics B
• Energy Levels in an Atom for AP Physics B
• Three Types of Nuclear Decay Processes for AP Physics B

Rapid Review

• Atoms contain a nucleus, made of protons and neutrons, and one or more electrons that orbit that nucleus. Protons, neutrons, and electrons all have mass. By contrast, photons are subatomic particles without mass.
• The electron-volt is a unit of energy that's convenient to use when solving atomic physics problems.
• The electrons that surround an atom can only have certain, specific amounts of energy. To go from a low energy level to a high energy level, an electron absorbs a photon. To go from a high energy level to a low energy level, an electron emits a photon.
• If an electron absorbs a photon that has a higher energy than the electron's work function, the electron will be expelled from the atom.
• Moving particles have a characteristic wavelength, found by the de Broglie equation.
• Nuclei can undergo three types of decay. In alpha decay, a nucleus emits an alpha particle, which consists of two protons and two neutrons. In beta decay, a nucleus emits either a positron or an electron. In gamma decay, a nucleus emits a photon. When solving nuclear decay problems, remember to conserve both mass and charge.
• During nuclear decay, mass is converted to energy. The relationship between the mass defect and the gained energy is found by Einstein's famous formula, E = (Δm)c².